Even one of the best college softball players in the country can get better.

That’s the challenge facing Tennessee senior shortstop Meghan Gregg. She has been charged to add a new dimension to her game: Leadership.

Gregg proved herself to be a star during last year’s 48-12 run to the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament: .437 batting average, 15 home runs and 79 RBIs.
Now, as the No. 12 Lady Vols prepare to begin their season Thursday with six games in three days in Tempe, Ariz., there are even greater expectations for Gregg.

“She has really worked hard at being a better leader for our team,” said Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly. “That’s something that takes a special person to do. Every athlete can become pretty good at taking care of themselves. When you can get outside of yourself and take care of your teammates while not letting your game diminish at all, that takes a lot of maturity. We’re seeing that in Meghan this year.”

Aubrey Leach slides safely to home plate as catcher Katie Weimer attempts to gain control of the ball during University of Tennessee softball practice Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018.
Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Veteran team now has pitching depth

Gregg will be a key component of a veteran UT team that will feature eight players who started several games last season and 12 who earned letters. One starter, junior infielder/outfielder Brooke Vines (.385, 4 homers, 59 RBIs), will miss some time after having shoulder surgery in the fall, according to Weekly.

A key to the development of the Lady Vols will be their pitching staff. Right-handers Matty Moss (junior, 26-3, 1.76 ERA last year) and Caylan Arnold (sophomore, 20-9, 2.01) and freshman lefties Gabby Sprang and Ashley Morgan (who will also play first base and hit high in the lineup) will give Tennessee diversity in the circle.

Co-head coach Ralph Weekly said one of the reasons the Lady Vols lost back-to-back Super Regional games to Texas A&M (after winning the opener) was that the opposition got comfortable with UT’s two pitchers (Moss and Arnold). Two extra arms should avoid the dilemma.

“We’ve thrown by committee before, and we’re going to do more of that this year,” Ralph Weekly said.

“Pitching drives the engine in fast-pitch softball,” Karen Weekly said. “Talent-wise, they have what it takes. It’s just keying in on the mental side.”

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Lady Vols plan to 'play tough'

The Lady Vols will be on the road — Tempe, Ariz., Clearwater, Fla., and Cathedral City, Calif. — in February. They won’t play a home game until March 2 against Charleston Southern. There’s also a tournament in Honolulu before SEC action begins.

UT starts off with Boise State and Arizona State on Thursday, Western Michigan and San Jose State of Friday and UC Davis and Utah on Saturday.

Tennessee is picked to finish second behind Florida in the SEC. The Lady Vols will play 33 of their 56 games against teams that went to the NCAA tournament last year.

“When we first got here (16 years ago), we were very fortunate that our mentor was (legendary women's basketball coach) Pat Summitt,” Ralph Weekly said. “One of the first pieces of advice she gave us was ‘play tough.’ We like the challenge. Our kids are geared up for it.”